Timer apparatus



H. J. MAC'EMON TIMER APPARATUS Oct. 16, 1956 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed April 5, 1954 FIG.

D U bio/H012.I.203.405.607.3090/001/012 PIC-3.2

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VII'IIIIJ INVENTOR. H ERBERT J. MACEMON ms ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1956 H. J. MACEMON 2,767,263

TIMER APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F\ iYI/l/ I I I INVENTOR.

HERBERT J. MACEMON HIS ATTORNEY W /I 7 /////.l

United States Patent TIMER APPARATUS Herbert J. Macemon, Jeffersontown, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 51, 1954, Serial No. 420,966

Claims. (Cl. 200-37) This invention relates to timer apparatus, and more particularly to clock-controlled switching equipment for selectively governing an electric circuit such as an oven heating circuit or the like.

Many time switches or timers heretofore generally used for the control of electrical appliances such as an electric range oven have the disadvantage that the housewife, When settin the timer, must manipulate a number of separate controls to set the desired times at which the oven will be turned on and off, and to cock the timer for automatic operation. Furthermore, in the operation of such controls, it is usually necessary to make the various settings in a particular sequence to effect proper operation of the timer. Another disadvantage of such prior art range timers is that in addition to the usual clock dial, two separate dials are frequently provided for indicating the on and off times during a timed cooking operation, thus adding to the complexity of the device. Also in some timers the off. time is set by setting a rotatable dial on the clock face with respect to the hour hand and thus the numerals on this dial may be upside down or in various angular positions when the setting is made.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and difliculties by providing a timer apparatus so arranged that it may be set for operation by the positioning of two control members to the desired on and off times without regard to the setting sequence and without the necessity of a separate cocking operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide timer apparatus having switch means actuated by a control element or actuator selectively engageable with a moving tape and carried into contact with the switch means after a time interval determined by its position on the tape.-

Another object of the invention is to provide timer apparatus having a linear time scale, and at least one manually movable time indicator for setting and indicating the time at which a switching mechanism is to be operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide timer apparatus having a pair of switch actuators movable by a moving tape into operative engagement with operating members which open and close a set of switch contacts in accordance with the previously set positions of the actuators on the tape.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of my invention, 1 provide a movable tape, which may be in the form of an endless belt, moving along a fixed path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators which may be releasably engaged with the tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch mechanism including operating members or levers which operate the switch contacts between open and closed positions when they are engaged by the actuators. A longitudinally arranged time scale on the tape, and pointers and handles on the actuators facilitate setting of the switch to the desired on and off times. mechanism is provided by utilizing operating members so arranged that manual movement of the actuator associated therewith from engagement with the member to a time setting position shifts the member to its cocked position.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawing inwhichz' Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a timer embodying my invention, some of the parts being removed or broken away to show details of construction.

Fig; 2 is a top plan view of the some timer.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and shows the parts as they appear after the timer has been set for operation.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational detail view of the switch actuator utilized in my' timer.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5-5 of Fig; 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing a rear elevation of the switch mechanism of my timer, the parts being shown in the cocked position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 6 but shows the parts in the positions occupied after the mechanism has been actuat ed by the on actuator to the on position.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 8'.

Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 6 but shows the parts in the positions they occupy after the mechanism has been actuated to the off position by the off actuator.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 1111 in Fig. 10.

' Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken alongv the line 12-12 in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the timer illustrated therein comprises a frame 1 formed from stampel sheet metal, for example, and preferably provided with mounting holes 2 permitting the timer to be mounted in any convenient location, such as the backsplasher of an electric range if it is to control the oven of the range. Mounted on frame 1 in spaced-apart relation are a pair of drums 3 and 4 arranged for rotation about spaced parallel axes. Drum 3 is rotatably supported on a shaft 5 extending at both ends through overhanging portions 6 of frame 1. Drum 4 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 7 extending at both ends through slots 8 in overhanging portions 3 of frame 1. At each end of shaft '7 a spring 10 secured to a lug 11 on frame portion 9 resiliently retains the shaft in slot 8.

Mounted on drums 3 and 4 and extending therebetween is a movable tape in the form of an endless belt 12 having perforated edges which provide driving engagement between projections 13 on drum 3 and the belt. As shown in Fig. 1, time indicating symbols are spaced longitudinally along belt 12; for example, a series of spaced numerals from 1 to 12 with dots indicating the half hours therebetween may be employed. Belt 12 is moved about a closed path at constant speed by a suitable constant speed motor such as an electric timer motor 14 geared to drum 3 by means of gear train 15 and a gear box 16 having a gear 17 in mesh with another gear (not shown) fixed to shaft 5. Thus belt 12 is supported on frame 1 for movement around a closed Patented Oct. 1 6-, 1956" Automatic cocking of the path including a generally straight path portion which may be viewed through an opening or window 18 in the frame. At all times belt 12 is maintained under tension by the two springs 10 secured to the ends of shaft 7 on which drum 4 is supported.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the direction of movement of belt 12 is such that the portionseen through window 18 moves from right to left. Cooperating with the time indicating symbols on belt 12 is a fixed reference indicator for indicating the time of day; in the present embodiment this indicator is in the form of a pair of aligned pointers 19 positioned near the left end of the window 18. It is, of course, desirable that some means be provided for manually setting the position of belt 12 and accordingly I provide a setting knob 29 connected by means of suitable gearing (not shown) to drum 3 so that the drum is caused to rotate by rotation of the setting knob.

Referring again to Fig. l, a pair of slots 21 and 22 formed in frame 1 are arranged generally parallel to the path of movement of belt 12 adjacent window 18 so as to provide guide paths for a pair of switch actuators 23 and 24 along opposite edges of the belt. Inasmuch as actuators 23 and 24 are similar in all respects the following description will be confined to actuator 23, it being understood that the description applies equally to both the structure and function of actuator'24. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, actuator 23 comprises a flat smooth portion 25 positioned between the flanged portions of slot 21, cars 26 and projection 27 which retain the actuator in the slot, and a handle 28 which may be manually operated to position the actuator at any point along slot 21. Actuator 23 also includes a time indicator in the form of a pointer 29 adjustably secured thereto by means of a screw 30 passing through a slot 31 in the pointer.

In accordance with my invention actuator 23 is releasably engageable with belt 12 independently of actuator 24 (which of course is adjacent the opposite edge of belt 12) so that when set at a particular point on belt 12 it will be carried thereby toward fixed time indicators 19. In the present form of my invention I utilize friction means for securing actuator 23 to the belt. As best shown in Fig. 5, actuator 23 may be secured to belt 12 by frictional force between a portion of the belt and a roller 32 which is wedged against the belt by Wedge member 33 upon the movement of belt 12 in the direction of the arrow (Fig. provided no external force is applied to handle 28. Wedge 33 is normally maintained in the position shown with respect to body portion 34 by a U-shaped leaf spring 35. As shown in Fig. 5 roller 32 is confined for limited movement in a slot located in body portion 34 between the inclined and straight walls of wedge 33.

Projecting from wedge 33, and rigidly secured thereto is a finger portion 36 arranged to actuate a switch mechanism when actuator 23 is carried to a position along its path in which indicator 29 coincides with indicator 19. It is evident that actuator 23 cannot proceed beyond the end of slot 21 after it has actuated the switch mechanism, and that when it reaches this point on its path it must be substantially disengaged from belt 12 so as to not interfcre with its constant speed movement. However, it is also necessary that the actuator remain in engagement with the belt until it has actuated the switch mechanism. To accomplish this function the switch mechanism is provided with means for automatically shifting wedge 33 with respect to body member 34 so as to disengage roller 32 from the belt after finger 36 has performed its switch actuating function.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that actuator 23 (and actuator 24) may be manually positioned at any point along its path of movement whether or not belt 12 is in motion, but will be carried with the belt as soon as handle 28 is released. The frictional force between the actuator and the belt is sufficient to move a switch operating member, but is reduced to a value too low to interfere with the motion of the belt after finger portion 36 of the actuator has actuated the switch with which it cooperates, or the actuator is manually moved along its path by means of handle 28.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, a two pole switch mechanism suitable for controlling a range oven heating circuit is operated by actuators 23 and 24. This switch mechanism, which is generally designated by the numeral 37, comprises a frame formed by spaced panels of insulating material 38 and 39 rigidly secured to frame 1 and located between drum 4 and motor 14. The frame structure of the witch also includes a base member 40 of insulating material secured between and transversely to panels 38 and 39, the edges of base 4i) resting in suitably shaped slots formed in the panels. Base 40 carries two pairs of fixed switch contact 41, 42, and 43, 44, each of these contacts including suitable terminal portions as shown in Fig. 2. Cooperating with fixed contacts 41, 42, and 43, 44 are a pair of bridging contacts 45 and 46 carried by a contact arm 47 pivotally mounted near its midpoint on upwardly projecting portions of base 40. Thus bridging contact 45 is movable into and out of engagement with contacts 41 and 42, while bridging contact 46 is movable into and out of engagement with fixed contacts 43 and 44. Both sets of contacts are normally held in engaged or closed positions by a coil spring 48 acting on a plunger 49 secured to 7 arm 47.

Switch arm 47 is operable between its contact open and contact closed positions by a pair of operating members 5% and 51 operatively engaged with the end of arm 47 opposite the end on which bridging contacts 45 and 46 are located. Operating member 50 is pivotally supported on panel 38 by means of a pivot pin 52, while operating member 51 is similarly supported on panel 38 by means of pivot pin 53. Members 50 and 51 are interconnected by an overcenter spring 54 which maintains member 50 in a first position in engagement with a stop member 55 (Fig. 6) or in a second position in engagement with another stop member 56 (Fig. 8) regardless of the position of member 51. Similarly overcenter spring 54 maintains operating member 51 either in one position in engagement with a stop member 57 (Figs. 6 and 8) or in a second position in engagement with another stop member 58 (Fig. 10) regardless of the position occupied by operating member 50. Member 54 is movable between its first and second positions by actuator 23, and more specifically by the engagement of finger portion 36 of the actuator with one of a pair of spaced legs 59 and 66 on member 50. Legs 59 and 60 project toward the path of movement of finger portion 36 and are so spaced that they confine the finger therebetween after member 5%) has been shifted overcenter, and thus into engagement with stop 56, by the force exerted by actuator 23 as it is moved along its path by belt 12. Thus when member 50 is in the position shown in Fig. 8, finger 35 is confined between legs 59 and 60 (in contact with the latter) and remains stationary because the leading edge of body portion 34 of the actuator is in contact with the end portion of stop 56. Body portion 34 contacts stop 56 immediately after finger 36 moves member 5i over its dead center position, and as member 50 is pivoted into engagement with stop 56 by spring 54 the rear leg 66 strikes finger 36, shifting it and wedge 33 with respect to body 34 so as to disengage roller 32 from the wedge and thereby'release the actuator assembly 23 from belt 12. Spring 35 is compressed by this shifting movement of wedge 33 and remains compressed so long as member 51) remains in the position shown in Fig. 8. Actuator 23 will remain at the end of its path, finger portion 36 remaining in the position shown in Fig. 8, until manually reset by means of handle 28. To reset actuator 23 it is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 until pointer 29 indicates the desired time setting, it being apparent from an inspection of Fig. 8 that such movement will cause finger portion 36 to engage leg 60 of operating member 50 and to move member 50 clockwise about its pivot into engagement with stop 55. Thus member 50 of the switch mechanism is automatically cocked each time actuator 23 is reset.

Operating member 51 cooperates with and is actuated by finger portion 36a of actuator 24 in a manner similar to that just described. Member 51 includes a pair of spaced legs 61 and 62 which project toward the path of actuator 24 and are engaged by finger portion 36a. When the parts of switch mechanism 37 occupy the positions shown in Figs. 6 or 8, leg 61 intersects the path of finger 36a and is thus engaged and carried overcenter to the position shown in Fig. when actuator 24 reaches a predetermined position along its path of movement. it will be noted that when actuator 24 reaches the end of its path and .actu-ates operating member 51 to the position shown in Fig. 10, finger portion 36a is confined between legs 61 and 62. Thus manual movement of actuator 24 from this position to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 causes member 51 to move counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 6) to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8, so that it is cocked and will be moved to the first mentioned position when again contacted by actuator 24 bcing carried along its path by belt 12.

Operating member 50 includes a cam 63 having its surface in engagement with the free end of arm 47 on which bridging contacts 45 and 46 are mounted. Cam 63 is contoured so that it maintains arm 47 in the position in Figs. 6 and 7 when member 50 occupies its cocked position. However when member 50 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8 cam 63 is disengaged from the end of arm 47 and the contracts are closed by the iiorce exerted by spring 48. Thus the switch mechanism 37 is operated to its off position when member 50 occupies the position shown in Fig. 6, and is in its on position when this member occupies the position shown in Fig. 8, it being assumed that operating member 51 is in the position shown therein.

Operating member 51 is also movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from arm 47 (Figs. 6 and 8) to a second position in which it holds arm 47 in contact open position (Fig. 10). However the operative connection between member 51 and arm 47 comprises a lost motion link 64 rather than a cam as in the case of member 50. Lost motion link 64 is pivotally secured to operating member 51 and projects through an opening near the free end of arm 47, and terminates in an enlarged head which exerts :a downward force on the end of arm 47 when member 51 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 10. However, the length of link 64 is such that it does not interfere with the movement of arm 47 when the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 8.

In describing the operation of the timer illustrated in the drawings, it will first be assumed that the time of day is 11:00 a. m. and that it is desired to close an electrical circuit (such as an oven heating circuit) at 2:00 p. m. and to open the circuit at 6:00 p. m. Under these circumstances the timer is set as shown in Fig. 1 so that actuator 23 is positioned on belt 12 with its pointer 29 opposite [the numeral 2, and actuator 24 is positioned on the belt so that its indicator is opposite the numeral 6. After the actuators have been set to the position shown in Fig. 1 the switch mechanism 37 will be in the position shown in Fig. 6 and thus bridging contacts 45 and 46 will be separated from fixed contacts 41, 42 and 43, 44. Consequently the circuit in which these contacts are located will be interrupted and will remain interrupted until actuator 23 reaches a position in which its pointer 29 coincides with fixed pointer 19. Actuator 23 being in frictional engagement with belt 12 is moved along its path until it reaches this position at which time operating member 50 is moved overcenter to the position shown in Fig. 8. This movement permits spring 48 to move arm 47 to its contact closed position, thus energizing the controlled circuit. The circuit will of course remain energized until operating member 51 is moved from the position shown in Fig 8 to the position shown in Fig. 11, such movement taking place four hours after the closing of the contacts in the present example. At the end of this predetermined interval actuator 24 is moved by belt 12 into engagement with leg 61 of operating member 51, shifts member 51 overcenter to the position shown in Fig. 10, and remains in this position until manually reset. Thereafter the timer continues to indicate the time of day by means of indicators 19 and the time symbols on belt 12. If it is desired to immediately energize the circuit controlled by the contacts of switch mechanism 37, it is merely necessary to manually position the off actuator 24 to 'a position along the tape to the right of time indicator 19 (as viewed in Fig. 1). Such movement will cause finger portion 36a of the actuator to engage leg 62 of operating member 51 and shift member 51 overcenter into engagement with stop 57; the duration of the interval during which the contacts are closed will of course depend upon the point along tape 12 at which the actuator 24 is released. Thereafter actuator 24 will be carried by the tape into engagement with leg 61 of operating member 51 as in the previous example.

While I have disclosed what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made :therein, and it is intended that all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention shall be covered in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A time switch comprising a frame, a movable tape having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, means for supporting said tape on said frame for movement :along a predetermined linear path, means for moving said tape :at a constant speed, .a time indicator carried by said frame and arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said tape, a pair of switch actuators supported on said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to said predetermined path, means on said actuators for releasably engaging said tape, each of said actuators having a time indicator arranged to cooperate with the 'sym bols on said tape and a handle whereby it may be manually positioned at any point along its path of movement, and switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuators for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame.

2. A time switch comprising an endless belt, means for driving said belt around a closed path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in paths adjacent to at least a portion of said closed path and independently engageable with said belt so as to be driven thereby, and switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuators for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to a predetermined position on its path and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators to a predetermined position on its path.

3. A time switch comprising an endless belt, means for driving said belt around a closed path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in paths adjacent to at least a portion of said closed path, each of said actuators having friction means engaging said tape with a force sufiicient to drive said actuators with said tape but insufiicient to effect the speed of said tape when said' actuators are moving relative thereto, switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuators for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to 'a predetermined position on its path and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators rto'a predetermined position on its path, and stop means for preventing movement of said actuators in the direction of movement of said belt beyond said predetermined positions on said path.

4. A time switch comprising an endless belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, means for driving said belt around a closed path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in paths parallel to said closed path and independently engageable with said belt so as to be driven thereby, each of said actuators having a time indicator arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said tape, and switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuators for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to a predetermined position on its path and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators to a predetermined position on its path.

5. A time switch comprising a frame, an endless belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, means for supporting said belt on said frame for movement around a closed path including one generally straight path portion, means for moving said belt around said path at a constant speed, a time indicator carried by said frame adjacent said straight portion of said closed path and arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said belt to provide a time indication, a

pair of switch actuators supported on said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to said straight portion of said closed path, means on said actuators for releasably engaging said belt, each of said actuators having a time indicator arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said tape and a handle whereby it may be manually positioned at any point along its path of movement, and switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuators for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame.

6. A time switch comprising a frame, a pair of drums mounted thereon for rotation about spaced parallel axes, an endless belt carried by said drums for movement around a closed path upon rotation of said drums, a motor arranged to rotate one of said drums, a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to on and off positions, and first and second switch actuators carried by said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to one of the straight paths of movement of said belt, said actuators being releasably engageable with said belt so as to be driven thereby upon engagement therewith, said switch being constructed and arranged so as to be operated to its on position by said first actuator upon movement thereof to a predetermined position, and to its off position by said second actuator upon movement thereof to a predetermined position.

7. A time switch comprising a frame, a pair of drums mounted thereon for rotation about spaced parallel axes, an endless belt carried by said drums for movement around a closed path upon rotation of said drums, said belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, a motor arranged to rotate one of said drums at constant speed, a switch carried by said frame and arranged to be selectively actuated to on and oif positions, and first and second switch actuators carried by said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to one of the straight paths of movement of said belt, each of said actutors having an indicator in time indicating relation with said symbols and means for releasably engaging said belt so as to be driven thereby, said switch being constructed and arranged so as to be operated to its on position by said first actuator upon movement thereof to a predetermined position, and to its oif position by said second actuator upon movement thereof to a predetermined position. v

8. A time switch comprising a frame, a pair of drums mounted thereon for rotation about spaced parallel axes, an endless belt carried by said drums for movement around a closed path upon rotation of said drums, said belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, a motor mounted on said frame and arranged to rotate one of said drums, a time indicator carried by said frame and cooperating with said symbols so as to provid a time indication, a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to on and 01f positions, said switch being constructed and arranged so as to be operated to its on position by a first switch actuator carried by said frame for movement along a path parallel to one of the straight paths of movement of said belt and to its off position by a second actuator carried by said frame for movement along another path parallel to said straight path of movement, each of said actuators including a manually operable handle, a time indicator cooperating with said symbols on said belt, and friction means for releasably engaging said belt.

9. A time switch comprising a frame, an endless belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, means carried by said frame for moving said belt along a linear path including a pair of spaced rotatable drums engaging said belt and motor means for rotating one of said drums at a constant speed, a time indicator carried by said frame adjacent said linear path and arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said belt to provide a time indication, a pair of switch actuators supported on said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to said linear path, means on said actuators for releasably engaging said belt, each of said actuators having a time indicator arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said belt and a handle whereby it may be manually positioned at any point along the path of movement, and switch means including contact means and operating means cooperating with said actuator for closing said contact means upon movement of one of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame and for opening said contact means upon movement of the other of said actuators to a position in which its time indicator coincides with the time indicator carried by the frame.

10. A time switch comprising a movable tape, means for driving said tape along a predetermined path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in separate paths adjacent to said predetermined path and independently engageable with said tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and off positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a pair of normally closed contacts, a movable arm for opening said contacts, and a pair of operating members each movably mounted in one of said separate paths so as to be movable by one of said actuators, each of said operating members being movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from said arm to a second position in which it holds said arm in contact open position.

.11. A time switch comprising a movable tape, means for driving said tape along a predetermined path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in separate paths adjacent to said predetermined path and independently engageable with said tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and off positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a pair of normally closed contacts, a movable arm for opening said contacts, and apair of operating members each movably mounted in one of said separate paths so as to be movable by one of said actuators, one of said operating members having a cam surface movable from a first position in which it holds said arm in contact open position to a second position in which said cam surface is disengaged from said arm, and the other of said operating members having a lost motion link movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from said arm to a second position in which it holds said arm in contact open position.

12. A time switch comprising a movable tape, means for driving said tape along a predetermined path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in separate paths adjacent to said predetermined path and independently engageable with said tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and off positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a frame carrying a fixed contact, a cooperating movable contact mounted on one end of an arm pivoted on said frame, a first operating member pivotally mounted on said frame in the path of one of said actuators and having a cam surface engageable with the other end of said arm, a second operating member pivotally mounted on said frame in the path of the other of said actuators and operatively engageable with said other end of said arm, said first operating member being movable about its pivot by said one of said actuators from one position in which its cam surface maintains said arm in its contact open position to another position in which its cam surface is disengaged from said arm, said second operating member being movable by said other actuator from a position in which it is disengaged from said arm to a position in which it engages said arm and maintains it in a contact open position.

13. A time switch comprising a movable tape, means for driving said tape along a predetermined path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in separate paths adjacent to said predetermined path and independently engageable wtih said tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and ofl? positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a frame carrying a fixed contact, a cooperating movable contact mounted on one end of an arm pivoted on said frame, a spring biasing said arm into contact closed position, a first operating member pivotally mounted on said frame in the path of one of said actuators and having a cam surface engageable with the other end of said arm, a second operating member pivotally mounted on said frame in the path of the other of said actuators and having a lost motion link engageable with said other end of said arm, said first operating member being movable about its pivot by said one of said actuators from one position in which its cam surface maintains said arm in its contact open position to another position in which its cam surface is disengaged from said arm, said second operating member being movable by said other actuator from a position in which its lost motion link is disengaged from said arm to a position in which said link engages said arm and maintains it in a contact open position, and overcenter spring means for maintaining each of said operating members in one of its aforementioned positions.

14. A time switch comprising a movable tape, means for driving said tape along a predetermined path at a constant speed, a pair of switch actuators movable in separate paths adjacent to said predetermined path and independently engageable with said tape so as to be driven thereby, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and oif positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a pair of normally closed contacts, a movable arm for opening said contacts, a pair of operating members each pivotally mounted adjacent one of said separate paths so as to be movable by one of said actuators, each of said operating members being movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from said arm to a second position in which it holds said arm in contact open position, and a pair of spaced legs on each of said operating members projecting toward the path of the actuator associated therewith so as to confine a portion of said actuator therebetween upon movement of said operating member to one of said first and second positions by engagement of said portion with one of said legs, whereby said operating member is returned to the other of said first and second positions by engagement of said portion with the other of said legs upon return movement of said actuator.

15. A time switch comprising a frame, an endless belt having time indicating symbols spaced longitudinally thereon, means for supporting said belt on said frame for movement around a closed path including one generally straight path portion, means for moving said belt around said path at a constant speed, a time indicator carried by said frame adjacent said straight portion of said closed path and arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said belt to provide a time indication, a pair of switch actuators supported on said frame for movement along separate paths parallel to said straight portion of said closed path, means on said actuators for releasably engaging said belt, each of said actuators having a time indicator arranged to cooperate with the symbols on said tape and a handle whereby it may be manually positioned at any point along its path of movement, and a switch arranged to be selectively actuated to its on and off positions by said actuators, said switch comprising a pair of normally closed contacts, a movable arm for opening said contacts, a pair of operating members each pivotally mounted adjacent one of said separate paths so as to be movable by one of said actuators, each of said operating members being movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from said arm to a second position in which it holds said arm in contact open position, and a pair of spaced legs on each of said operating members projecting toward the path of the actuator associated therewith so as to confine a portion of said actuator therebetween upon movement of said operating member to one of said first and second positions by engagement of said portion with one of said legs, whereby said operating member is returned to the other of said first and second positions by engagement of said portion with the other of said legs upon return movement of said actuator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 658,225 Webster Sept. 18, 1900 704,108 Rice July 8, 1902 1,004,097 South Sept. 26, 1911 2,625,222 Frye Jan. 13, 1953 

